Nick Heinio-Widell '23 Recruiting Profile

I’m Nick and I’ve been a swimmer for longer than I can remember, having been in the water since I was born. Growing up on a boat for the first eleven years of my life made me into what you might call a water person. The early exposure to the ocean is what created my passion for swimming and eventually led me to join a swim coach, that followed the total immersion methodology,  focusing on technique and efficiency. 

Only when I was about eleven and we moved to a house in Portugal, I started to swim competitively and practice for more hours. It's been now almost six years of swimming on a competitive level and I have only grown more fond of the sport. It teaches me to work hard, manage my time, persevere, be disciplined, and be both physically and mentally strong. 

Throughout these six years, I have developed as a swimmer excelling in regional and national competitions in both the Netherlands and PortugaI. I'm always inspired and motivated by people that excel and would like to join a swim team that challenges me to do the same.

I finished my first year IB (International Baccalaureate) at CAISL in Lisbon, Portugal. I will graduate in 2023 with an American HS diploma as well as an IB diploma. The IB program is rigorous and in combination with my practice and meet schedule, I have to juggle my time effectively. It's not always easy but so far so good and it seems like the perfect preparation for a College Athlete. 

Having said that, academically I'm looking for a college that challenges me as well as motivates me to be the best I can be. Although I'm not sure about my major yet, at the moment I really enjoy business and economics. As I've always lived on the water or by the beach, the ocean has always been my go to place, so I'm also hoping to find a school near the ocean with other water persons like myself to team up with.

I’m totally geared up to continue my swimming career in the US after I graduate in 2023. I believe that my academics are just as important as my athletic career and what better place is there than the US to pursue this.